Pakistan : Italy to press UN for religious minority protection

By Mohammad S.Solanki
Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Rome, (AKI) - Italy will present a resolution to the United Nations that protects the rights of Pakistan's religious minorities, Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said in Rome on Monday. He made the announcement following a meeting with Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister of minority rights, who is a Catholic.

"The subject of religious minorities is extremely important," he said. "We can't forget that in Pakistan over the last few months there have been murders of Christians that have shocked Europeans, including in Italians."

Two people, including a policeman, were injured late Sunday during a bomb blast at a Christian church near Mardan in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkh, Dawn News reported.

Sectarian assaults have especially targeted Pakistan's minority Shia Muslims. Earlier this month more than 70 people were killed during a suicide bombing in the western city of Quetta at a Shia rally.

Of the 95 percent of Pakistanis that are Muslim, 75 percent are Sunni and 20 percent Shia.

Frattini also said he will travel to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad next month to discuss millions of euros in aid Italy has pledged to give the south Asian country following deadly flooding.

Frattini on 9 Sept. announced that Italy will grant flood- devestated Pakistan 80 million euros in relief.

Of the aid, 20 million euros of funds will come in the form debt relief, 10 million euros as direct emergency relief and 50 million euros in credits.

Pakistan is struggling to juggle the need to manage emergency rescue efforts and fight a deadly Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgency.

Around 1,800 people in Pakistan have died in recent flooding which has reportedly affected 21 million people.

The country's government has been the target of criticism for alleged corruption that has hampered relief efforts.